subject: Tablets In The Fast Lane [print this page] Steve Jobs no doubt knew when he uttered the phrase post-PC world on the stage of the Yerba Buena Center that he was stirring up a hornets nest. It was first met with an expected dose of skepticism. But in the two years since it has become clear that, while reports of the PCs demise have been greatly exaggerated, we have indeed entered an era where the PC is just one node in a network of dispersed, connected devices that together will drive both personal and business computing. As Jobs predicted, tablet devices have stepped into a major role in that network at a breathtaking pace.
With first weekend sales of the new iPad of some 4 million units, its safe to say that the relevant question is no longer if consumers will buy a tablet, but when. By the end of 2012, nearly 40 million Americans will be tapping, swiping, and zooming their way through digital content on tablets. In just the two years since the iPad launched, tablets are proving to be the device of choice over smartphones and computersfor any of the tasks for which it was designed, whether its browsing the Web, watching videos, reading books, or basic communication.
The question remains though, as to how well the Web experience on tablets will meet consumer expectations. Its one thing to happily tap and swipe your way along when youre in the Apple ecosystem using native apps on a Wi-Fi connection. Its quite another when youre out and about trying to load a website over a finicky wireless/cellular network. Theres nothing magical about staring at a beautiful, empty screen in your hands while youre waiting for a website to load.
Its a challenge that lands squarely in the laps of website owners. Users want fast, no matter what connection theyre on, and they want tablet-friendly content. Usability is an issue worthy of its own discussion, coming here soon. But the first order of tablet business is speed.
